IOWA SENATE BILL WOULD AID WILDLIFE DIVERSITY Senator Mary Lundby (R-Cedar Rapids), introduced legislation that proposes to assist the DNR's Wildlife Diversity Program by providing state funds required to match and receive so-called "CARA-Lite" federal funds. Senate File 380 (previously SF 125) is, "A bill for an act relating to funding for nongame wildlife programs by increasing the fees for special natural resources motor vehicle registration plates ". This bill proposes to raise the initial purchase price for Iowa's popular REAP (Resource Ehancement And Protection) license plates by $10, and the annual renewal fee by $15. The original cost of REAP plates and renewal fees would continue going into the state's REAP account, distributed according to an existing REAP formula. *Only proceeds from the increased cost would be earmarked for DNR's Wildlife Diversity program, thus not upsetting the agreed-upon REAP formula. It has been estimated that this bill could provide between $700,000 and $800,000 annually to the Wildlife Diversity Program. That is very close to the amount required to match annual appropriations to Iowa through the federal State Wildlife Grants (SWG) program, sometimes also called "CARA-Lite". With continuing state budget problems, DNR does not have funds available to match much of these federal grants. Private individuals and conservation groups have stepped forward to help meet the match for a few projects. However, without some larger source of state match, it is possible Iowa might not meet grant deadlines, and remaining federal monies would be re-allocated to other states. This also would not set well with Congress, which could then decide to reduce or eliminate future State Wildlife Grants. SF380 was reported out of the Senate Transportation Committee on March 13 and may be taken up for debate during the week of March 24. Supporters of stabilized funding for DNR's Wildlife Diversity Program are asked to contact their state senators and urge passage of SF 380. Attempts might surface to amend the bill to require all increased proceeds be distributed according to the existing REAP formula. However, that existing formula currently makes no allocation of funds for Wildlife Diversity, and it is unlikely to be changed in the future. It is important that any amendments to this effect be defeated, if the bill is to have any meaning for Iowa's nongame wildlife. Contact the DNR Wildlife Diversity Program Team at 515/423-2823, or 515/281-4815, if you have questions about the Wildlife Diversity Program. Contact Jane Clark at [log in to unmask] for information about this message or SF 380. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp